In maiden win

minutes,” he declared, a tall order considering the world record of 2.11.96 was set by Kenyan Noah Ngeny in 1999.

“Otherwise I’m happy to run as fast as I can over any distance I can, as long as it’s long distance,” he said.

In a sub-junior one-kilometre event, Jerome Baker held off strong challenges from sisters Olivia and Chloe.

On Saturday, runners gather at 9.30am at the North Park clubrooms before the five-kilometre Stephen Baird Handicap.

Lofthouse in luck

Wiry veteran Keith Lofthouse travelled to Rhymney on Sunday fully expecting to run a respectable third in the Reynolds Family Handicap behind pre-race favourites Emma Mccready and her dad Ian.

But luck became fortune for Lofthouse in the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club race when neither Mccready presented for the race, handing Lofthouse an unexpected win over nearest chasers Chris Barwick and Peter Gibson.

“I was pretty certain Emma would be there because she won the Reynolds last year, with Rachel second, and it’s always a thrill to win a race in consecutive years,” Lofhouse said.

For the first time in his 69 years, Lofthouse had trained or raced for seven days straight in preparation for Rhymney.

The club has a Mother’s Day bye this Sunday, but travels to Stawell on Saturday, May 19 to join Stawell Amateur Athletic Club for an eight-kilometre Lindsay Kent Memorial Handicap.